How "far" to pluck

[ChrisBowsman]

I've had a bass for awhile, but only recently started taking it seriously. Previously, I'd typically play with a pick, but I'm trying to learn fingerstyle. I spent a lot of time unlearning bad habits on guitar, and I'd like to avoid that as much as possible this time around.

When I pluck, my fingers stop against the next lowest string (ie, I pluck on the D, my finger stops against the A). Is this pretty normal?

[M0ses]

That's what I do. And I'm pretty sure that's what plenty of people do.

[ChrisBowsman]

Cool, thanks.

[David1234]

Yep that's the best thing to do. Otherwise you get "bonus notes" ringing away that are unintended, on that lower string.

[Mr wiggl3s]

It's what people do because it's the right thing to do. Check out www.studybass.com man

[ChrisBowsman]

Thanks for the link. Looks like some good stuff.

I unwittingly spent 10 years playing guitar with my wrist locked, picking from the elbow, totally clueless as to why it was difficult for me to play lots of things. I'm trying to avoid as much of that stuff as possible this time.

[JJT247]

I do that too. It makes the string above it bounce up a little bit and it confuses my brother because he thinks im playing that note.